Amisfield Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $25 The second I see ‘tomato’ and ‘capsicum’ in the ingredients for anything, I’m instantly reaching for a wine like the Amisfield Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018 ($25). Incredibly pungent aromas of lime, lemon, passionfruit, bruised basil and buckets of homemade lemonade loveliness all wash through onto the palate … Read More
Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $29 Blended from four vineyards from the western end of the Wairau Valley after a long, dry summer, the Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 ($29) is a funk-laced, stonefruit-soaked, toasty, smoky sip. Crafted using only free-run juice and left to ferment wild, with no additions, before maturing in barrel for 11 months, … Read More
Petane Station Hau Hau Block Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018
Petane Station Hau Hau Block Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 $27 This tiny estate located out Eskdale-way, manages to turn out pinot gris that’s consistently mammoth in the personality-stakes. With its new vintage offering a creamy, apple pie and cashew character on the nose, followed by a poached quince and roast pear punch on the … Read More
Bodegas Piqueras Valcanto Almansa Syrah 2014
Bodegas Piqueras Valcanto Almansa Syrah 2014 ($15.95) A soft, easy, super-fruity syrah like this is just the ticket for a soothing sip to serve with anything meaty and spicy. This Spanish smooth-talker adds berries and spice and all things nice to anyone who prefers blueberry and leather notes in their syrah and less of the … Read More
Torlesse Waipara Riesling 2016
Torlesse Waipara Riesling 2016 $20 I was really hoping for better with this riesling, having had some lovely experiences with previous vintages. However there’s something slightly soapy and flat on the nose of the 2016, and on the palate it lacks freshness and a sense of clean fruit. It’s unfortunately a little murky on the … Read More
Greywacke Late Harvest Marlborough Riesling 2011
Greywacke Late Harvest Marlborough Riesling 2011 $38 Holy toffee apples, Batman! Carefully crafted by the legendary Kevin Judd, this little bottle of liquid indulgence has all the wicked sweetness of a sneaky dollar lolly mixture stashed under your pillow to nibble on when your mum’s not looking. Hints of beeswax and spice on the nose … Read More
Coal Pit Proprietor’s Reserve Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Coal Pit Proprietor’s Reserve Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $40 Aromas of smoked lemongrass, bruised basil, lime and a pinch of passionfruit lead to copycat flavours on the palate. Flavours accentuated by layers of creamy, smoky complexity from a wild ferment in 30% new French oak. It’s a flavoursome and new take on southern sauvignon … Read More
Ti Wha Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Ti Wha Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $57 With recent vintages scooping more trophies and medals around the traps than Bob Kerrigan could fit in the pool room, it’s no surprise to me why (on the back on an excellent harvest) the 2017 is nothing short of nuts-good. Estate-grown and hand-harvested at Gibbston, … Read More
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 $22 High up on the Tuki Tuki terraces overlooking the river valley of the same name lies Kathryn and John Laughlin’s viognier vineyard. In addition to being a rather lovely thing to look at, it’s a spot that produces knee-slappingly lovely things to sip on. This new vintage hits that … Read More
Master of Ceremonies MC Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018
Master of Ceremonies MC Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018 $19 While it looks like it’ll be a sweetie in the glass, you’ll find your Hawke’s Bay-grown goblet of goodness has a dollop of dryness, a kick of pepper and buckets of spice on the finish. It’s got some tannic texture in the mouth and make sure … Read More